Walkabout 2020 day 7

Sunday August 8

Packing up and heading home. Found that I had failed to seal my food box the previous evening and I had ants in everything! Dang it. Oh well, heading home anyway. Tossed the infested groceries after breakfast and repacked the rest.  Reorganized the load for best efficiency and headed to the gate.  Had to get in line at checkout and wait my turn, but that was just fine.   

So now I'm home. For some reason known only to her, Kathy was glad to see me. She enjoyed my away time, but was ready for me to be back.  So back I am. 

This "walkabout" didn't turn out as I'd planned.  I'd planned not to plan.  I wanted to drift with the wind, not really choosing a campground until I was on the road from the last one.  I wanted to hear of a good place and go there...no reservations or detailed plans. That doesn't work in modern America.  You've got to have a reservation well ahead to get a spot.  You've got to plan your food, your water, your fuel...everything.  I'm still going to call this my "walkabout", but I ended up having to call at least a day ahead for campgrounds.  Sometimes it had to be done online. Spontaneous just isn't a vacation word anymore.  Next time I'll plan a flexible plan. I've learned some things. I've had a really good time. And I will do this again.

Until nest time!

Walkabout 2020 day 6

 Saturday August 8

Morning. Nice sleep on my newly purchased cot... you know...the traditional style camp cot that hasn't changed much in over a hundred years because it doesn't need to. Breakfast as usual then off to a swim in the pool. A few folks were there already, pretty early, and they were doing Aquarobics. They instantly invited me to join in, so I did.  It was tougher than I thought it would be. They were mostly in my age group, some younger-some older.  Really nice. After we were finished I couldn't find the soda I had brought with me. Thomas said he knew it would be too warm to drink so he put it in his cooler.  Like I said-- nice folks.  I was also invited to a Bloody Mary Brunch that one of the couples was having in their trailer. I was a little leery, but apparently nearly everyone was invited.  Got there and it was a blast.  There were rock videos on the big screen, Bloody Marys and Mimosas and breakfasty finger foods.  We also made beaded name necklaces so we would all know each other's names.

I'd had breakfast AND brunch already, but then lunch was street tacos and margaritas from a local taqueria. I had to be careful not to overdo it. Afterwards I explored the area on foot. When I got back I spoke for quite a while with my neighbor, Kenny. Quite an old guy and a little different... but in an interesting way. He'd been around a lot, seen a lot, done a lot, and apparently lost a lot. Then back to the pool because the band was setting up. "The Spotlights" is a cover band and they were great! The female lead vocalist definitely had a strong set of pipes. People were in the pool, around the pool, outside the fence... everywhere.  Pretty much the whole park showed up.  It was a definite blast.  Stayed there long enough that I had to re-apply my sunscreen.

Back to the campsite for a nap and then some dinner, just fruit and nuts...I was full. As it was getting dark, the DJ in the clubhouse started up.  I told you-- lots of activities. I didn't go at first, but after a while I joined the festivities. I found that hardly anyone was dancing WITH anyone, just sort of dancing as a group. By now I knew several of them by name and face and had a good time.  Back to the tent before turning into a pumpkin and off to sleep.

My last night on walkabout. Home tomorrow around lunchtime. Anxious to see my beautiful wife. It will also be nice to sleep in my own bed Sunday night.